Please help me find Levi Miller.

[brandm24]

When I bought this counterstamped coin about 10 years ago I thought identifying the maker would be an easy task. WRONG!

It's quite unusual to find a private US issue...except those with company names...that have a name, occupation, and city or town stamped on them. If they do, it would normally be an easy task in identifying them. Not in this case.

So here I am ten years later and who Mr. Miller was is still an open question. One of the problems is the fact that Elk Creek is likely a very small obscure town or village. Perhaps it's not even incorporated anymore or its changed it's name. As a young man I once lived in a place called Delaware Township...very rural and unsophisticated, fortunately...but as time passed and the area became affluent the name was changed to Cherry Hill. It didn't change me though...I remained unsophisticated and rather low on funds. Perhaps this is what became of Mr. Miller. Anyway, forgive my rambling.

The other fact that has made this so difficult is that the name Levi Miller was quite common them...probably 1860s. Who would have thought?

Since I'm out of ideas in my search for this man, maybe someone on the forum can help. If anyone knows Mr. Miller please tell him I'm looking for him.

Bruce

[Henk]

This, or a similar one is listed in Presidential Coin & Antique auction 56 of 6/25/1994. I copied the description. The link is: Newman Numismatic Portal at Washington University in St. Louis | Comprehensive

[brandm24]

Thanks so much for the information, Henk.

I do recall coming across an Elk Creek, Nebraska sometime in my past research, but couldn't find anyone named Levi Miller. There were at least a dozen Elk Creeks in the US...Elk Creek Township, Elk Creek, or something else attached to it. Thanks to your prompting, I'll check it out again.

The coin is undoubtedly mine, though I thought it might be an 1859...really hard to tell because of wear. I'll note your information on my 2x2 for future reference. I'm very big on preserving provenance. Thanks again.

Bruce

[malj1]

I reckon its 1858 too!  ...note the top half of the eight.

[brandm24]

Thanks for the closeup, Mal. I see it is an 1858 then.

I looked further into Elk Creek, Nebraska and found some interesting information I hadn't come across in my previous research. The town, located in Johnson, Co.was always very small and sparsely populated. Even today the population only numbers 100 or so.

The town was founded in 1873 and by 1878 had "3 stores, hostel, blacksmith, harness and shoe shop, and 3 warehouses" according to an old history of the county. A few of the merchants were named, but not the proprietor of the blacksmith forge. I did come across some Miller family members in either Elk Creek or nearby Table Rock, but none were named Levi.

I think this Nebraska town is a good possibility, so I'll look a bit more there for Mr. Miller. Thank you all for your comments.

Bruce

[brandm24]

Here's a picture I found of Elk Creek taken in 1911...forgot to post it

Bruce

[malj1]

It appears it would have had much more than 100 inhabitants in the early days.

[Figleaf]

Just a (complicating, sorry) thought. Someone named Miller might have been called Müller, Mueller or Muller before.

Peter

[brandm24]

It appears it would have had much more than 100 inhabitants in the early days.

It was founded because of a new railroad going through the area. It was larger then, but never a town of any note.

Bruce

[brandm24]

Just a (complicating, sorry) thought. Someone named Miller might have been called Müller, Mueller or Muller before.

Peter

Yes, that's one of the difficulties when looking for someone. Immigrants would sometimes Americanize their name to fit in.

Bruce